Juan Mata insists that Chelsea must maintain their belief as they enter the final stretch of the season.

Juan Mata insists that Chelsea must maintain their belief as they enter the final stretch of the season.

The Blues are still battling for a top-four finish, whilst they are also in the last four of the UEFA Champions League and FA Cup.

Roberto Di Matteo's side enjoyed a huge slice of fortune on Saturday to secure victory over struggling Wigan with Mata's stoppage-time strike earning a 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge.

Mata was asked how the Blues could continue to perform after scoring a 93rd-minute winner in what was the first of six games in 18 days.

"With faith, with faith," he said.

"We are in a crucial moment for us. Next week, we are playing in the FA Cup semi-final, Champions League, still fighting for the third and fourth position in the Premier (League).

"The faith, I think, is more important than the muscles or feeling tired.

"So, we are training well to be ready for Monday."

Indeed, the shortest turnaround for the rest of the season comes ahead of the West London derby at Fulham, which they must win to keep the pressure on Tottenham and Arsenal in the race for fourth place.

Di Matteo is checking on the fitness of John Terry, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole and Ramires, all of whom missed Saturday's game.

If any of the latter trio are fully recovered, they will likely return as Di Matteo continues to rotate his squad.

Summer signing Mata, who is experiencing his first season in English football, said: "It's a logical decision because we have 24, 25 players ready to play and everyone deserves his minutes.

Confidence

"We have confidence now. We have confidence that the results give to us.

"We are in a good run of results and, without playing very well, we are winning.

"I think we can play better but these three points are more important than the play."

Tottenham's failure to win at Sunderland moved Chelsea to within striking distance of them and Arsenal, who host Manchester City on Sunday afternoon.

Asked if both were catchable, Mata said: "I think so, I think so.

"Nothing is impossible in football.

"Tottenham, for example, are closer than one week ago, so we are going to fight until the end of the season."

And the former Valencia star vowed the upcoming semi-finals against Spurs and Barcelona would not be a distraction at Craven Cottage.

"Our priority now is Fulham," he said.

"We are still alive in three competitions and we have very important games in the FA Cup next weekend, and next week against Barcelona.